For four Wednesday evenings after Pascha, Fr. Ignatius will be leading a Bible Study on Old Testament "Types" of Christ in which we will discuss how Old Testament figures such as Moses, Joseph, David and others prefigure, foreshadow and point to Jesus Christ in their actions and character. The Bible study will meet following Akathist, beginning at 7:45PM and finishing by 9PM on April 30, May 7, 14, and 21.

Feasting-

According to Antiochian custom, there is an allowance to not fast from any foods during the entire Paschal season, including on Wednesdays and Fridays, until after the Feast of Ascension (May 29). We will resume weekly Wednesday/Friday fasting on Friday, May 30.

Teen SOYO Asks for Help (Last Call!)-

Teen SOYO is asking the whole parish to donate items this week, that will make up the contents of "Restoration Bags" to be used by an organization called Restore Innocence. This group works works with women and girls who have been rescued from trafficking, especially forced prostitution. See www.restoreinnocence.org and www.restoreinnocence/restoration-bags for more information. Items being accepted for donation include: new "yoga" pants, new sweatshirts, new T-shirts, Boy cut style underwear, sports bras, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, luffa, lotion, deodorant, chapstick, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, hair ties, blanket, huggable stuffed animal, snacks, chewing gum.

Return Your Food for Hungry People Program Boxes-

If you have been collecting spare change in your Food for Hungry People box, now is the time to return it to church so that we can consolidate the funds and send them in to our Archdiocese.

Our teens will meet after Akathist (7PM) this Wednesday, April 30 for a time of fellowship. The book club meets Monday, May 5 at 6:30PM. They meet for dinner and a movie on Monday, May 19 at 6:30PM.

St. Maria's Bread House and Prayer Room in Kalona-

Amy Spencer is organizing a nonprofit community-service organization and prayer room/chapel in Kalona that, pending approval from our bishops, might one day become an Orthodox mission. The church council has given her the go-ahead to gather an advisory group. Though she'll especially need help with fundraising/crowdfunding, connecting with other parishes, and organizing volunteers, anyone with an interest is encouraged to talk to Amy. Contact her at kalonabreadhouse@gmail.com for more info.

Charitable Projects-

It's farmer's market time again! Please sign up to help downstairs on the bulletin board near the piano. Last year we donated $2060 to Crisis Center. Let's give at least as much to Meals on Wheels (a community that provides food for the elderly) this year!

On Tuesday May 6 from 11:30AM-1:30PM, we are scheduled to help with the Free Lunch Program. Please let Fr. Ignatius know if you can help this month.

Friends of Historic Preservation Parade of Historic Homes Fundraiser-Our lovely church building will be one of five buildings in our neighborhood featured in the Friends of Historic Preservation's Parade of Historic Homes, a fundraiser for their organization.The Parade of Historic Homes is an annual event that features unique historic homes in Iowa City. Participants are invited to enter and explore houses of various styles, all within walking distance of each other. When: Sunday May 11, 1-5pm, Where: College Green neighborhood in Iowa City Admission: $10 per person, 12 years and under free. Purchase tickets at the door. More information to follow.

Informed Choices Medical Clinics Walk for Life- Sign-up to benefit the Informed Choices Medical Clinic through their annual Walk for Life fundraiser, May 10th at Kent Park near Tiffin on Hwy. 6. Registration begins at 8:30AM and the walk begins at 9Am. For more information, go to: www.iowawalkforlife.org.

Midwest Antiochian Women Annual Retreat- All women are invited to attend the Midwest Antiochian Women's Retreat, May 16-18 at Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, MI. V. Rev. Fr. Dan Daly will give a presentation entitled "What is the Church?". Join with the nuns for prayer and worship. Registration deadline is May 12. For more information, see poster on bulletin board at church.

Lizzy Valentine's Graduation Party- All are invited to attend an open house party to celebrate Lizzy Valentine's graduation from high school. On Saturday May 24 from 11AM-1PM, food and drinks will be provided. Stop in and congratulate the graduate!

Save the Date! St. Raphael Family Camping Weekend- After taking last year off, we will once again gather at F W Kent Park off of Highway 6 just west of Tiffin, for a weekend of camping, worship, prayer, and fellowship. Save the dates of June 7-8 and plan to join us in the park for camping and services. More information to follow soon.

Antiochian Women Scholarship-

If you are a female 25 years old or older, an active member in good standing of a parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese, applying for or registered in an academic or trade program of study, and able to demonstrate financial need, and you are interested in applying for a $500 scholarship, please see Fr. Ignatius. Scholarship deadline in June 1, 2014.

Thoughts on Stewardship and Giving-

Luke 12:48 … "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."

Next Sunday's Gospel Reading-

St. John Chrysostom urges Christians to preview the upcoming Sunday Gospel reading so that it may be fresh in your minds when you hear it next Sunday. The reading for Sunday, May 4 is: "At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if He were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His Disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." (Mark 15:43-16:8)

Pray for our Catechumens-

Please keep our catechumens: Ilya Buchkin, Tyson Humphrey and Rob Bergenstock in your prayers as they prepare to be sacramentally joined to the Orthodox Church.

Keep Praying for Kidnapped Orthodox Bishops in Syria-

Since April 22, the Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, Metropolitan Paul, and the Syriac Metropolitan of Aleppo, Youhanna, have been in captivity and have not heard from. Please pray for their well being and release and also pray for their captors as well. One priest is also missing, having been kidnapped.

Do You Have a Prayer Request?

Please give it to Fr. Ignatius and he will distribute it by email to all those on the Prayer Chain. If you wish to join the Prayer Chain, please let Fr. Ignatius

know.

Coffee Hour-

On Sunday May 4, the food for coffee hour and the clean-up of the fellowship hall will be provided by the St. Nicholas team.

Church Cleaning-

During the week of April 27-May 3, the nave, narthex, bookstore, stairs, nursery and bathrooms will be cleaned by the St. Raphael team.